Tractor.



- D. ELLWOOD.

TRACTORK APPLICATION FILED AuG.25. 1915.

Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

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` TRACTOR.

APPLICATXON FILED AUG.25,1915.

C. D. ELLWOOD.

TRACTGR.

APPLICATION man Aue.25. 1915.

1,237,494. Patent-ed Aug. 21,1917.

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TRACTOR.

APPLICATION ULEB AUG.25. 1915.

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CHARLES D. ELLWOOD, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN.

TRACTOR.

.mamen Specification of Letters Patent.

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' Application filed August 25, 1915. Serial No. 47,344.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. Ennwoon, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Madison, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Tractors, of which the following is a specification.:

My invention relates to tractors-having the engine disposed within and over. the center of the traction wheel; and the objects of my invention are as follows t First: to have the entire weight of the motive'power, supports, gearing and shaftingl supported directly over the central portion of the traction wheel.

Second: to provide a convenient and etli- `cient frame between which the traction wheel is securedl and to which the steering gear is attached and making 1t possible to dispose the Weight of the motive power, supports,l gearing and shafting over the center i v of the traction wheel.

' Third: to provide closure means for the entire wheel whereby dust can be excluded from the working mechanism and at the same time'ender the mechanism accessible `far purpose of repairs,

replenishment of fuel and water supply tanks from the outside-of the machine.

Fourth: to provide steering means whereby the machine is guided in its desired course by means of a divided frame pivoted approximately the longitudinal center makin very short turns possible.

ifth :l to dispose the driving shaft between the duplicate portions of the cradle so as to insure a perfect balance and making possible a direct application of power tothe rin gear. Y Y

ixth: to construct a complete tractor vfully inclosed and secure from dust at a low 'cost to permit of its use by farmers and others possessing limited means.

Seventh: to provide a controlling means and steering gear that makes it possible for almost the entire weight of the tractor'to be supported centrally over the traction wheel.

Eighth: to provide a tractor having a sindriving mechanism inclosed within the same.

I attain the above and other objects api. parent upon the preferred form perusal oi the specifications by of mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1, is a plan of my machine, Fig. 2, is a side elevation, Fig. 3, a plan showing the corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The outer shell 1, the flange 2, the channels y 3, and the ring gear 4, constitute the frame work of my traction wheel. The main frame 16 is formed from channel iron bent to the desired shape, the two sides being duplicates and are bolted together in horizontal alinement fora distance from their rear ends thereby forming a bifurcated frame. Between the forks on the front end thereof is secured a 'cradle or frame, comprising two side members 19, with a leg 18, depending from the center thereof and two arms 19, extending upw rd and outward, the terminals being ninety degrees from the leg each way. Said cradle is secured between the forks at the front end of the bifurcated frame by means of the bolts 17. The side members aforesaid are connected internally by the braces 20, 21 and 22, which are securely bolted thereto. At the bifurcated ends of the legs 18, and the arms 19, are revolubly disposed on pins 23, the rollers 24, adapted to revolve inthe channels 3, see Figs. 2 and 3.

Upon the braces 21 and 22 are located the journal boxes 25 and 26. J ournaled in said boxes is the shaft 27 and to the inner end of said shaft is secured the spur gear 14. On the outer end of said shaft is disposed the pinion 28, which is in mesh with the ring gear 4. Across the cradle from side to side at the center thereof is disposed a motive power which is securely bolted to the lateral flanges 29, by the bolts 30. :One end of the motive power shaft extends a distance outside of the balance wheel and a spur pinion 13, is disposed thereon. Said pinion meshes with the spur gear 14. Intermediate vthe boxes 25 and 26 on shaft 27 is located Said fuel receptacle is connected to the engine by any suitable piping.: ,Between the side'plates 19, adjacent the .brace 20 is secured a tank 35 to contain a cooling medium for theengine which is properlyconnected bv pipes thereto. As before described the frame 16, forward of the parallel portion is so shaped that it forms a surface to the underside of which is bolted an annuhis 36,

forming the upper member of the pivotal center ofthe steering gear. To the top of the 'frame concentric with the member 36, is disposed and bolted, the housing 37, in which awormand worm gear 38; is disposed in operative relation to each other. A shaft 39 is journaled in the housing'37 at 'its upper end and passes downward through the gear 38, to which it is keyed. The lower endl of` said shaft passes below member 3G,

through the hub on member 40 which forms the lower member of the pivotal center ofthe steering gear.` The said member `4.0, is bolted to the top of channel iron brace 41, making the movement of the two members co-incident. The ends of the brace 41, di-

verging are fastened to the ends of the guide race 42, which is curved concentric with the shaft 39. 'A roller 13, is revlubly mounted between the depending lugs 44, secured under the extreme end of frame' 16,

and travels in thel race 42, thus adding stability to the steering gear mechanism. By` the race extending beyond the axle 45 to may be engaged in hauling. which is very desirable in some cases.

The rod 46 attached to the lci'er 32, for operating the reverse gear can also be e.\'- teiided back of the. machine thereby placing thel control volall movements of the tractor conveniently within reach of the driver oceup \ing a position on the trailer.

,lo the. outside ol.' one of the flanges 2, is secured the plate -lT extending a distance toward the center of the wheel. A round plate lh ol. slightly greater diaiiielcr than the aperture in plate -lT is rigidly secured lo the. inside oll the l'ranie ll in a position to cover said aperture. rl`o the other side of the wlieel :i plate lf) is secured lo the flange 2. Said plate being similar to plate 47. 'l`lie aperture in plate 49 extends both above and below the main frame 1li and the lower portion is covered by a simple swinging door 50. which is hingedly attached to the frame and spaced the desired distance from the wheelby the depending brackets- To i the upper side of the-frame'in register with.

mentioned Willexhaust within thel Wheel casing for the purpose of'expel1ng.dust andthe like from the working means of the exhaust being pipe in any convenient manner-to the-tube annulus-56 which is spaced and drilled on the outer 'sfide adjacent ythe aperture between vthe xed'and mova le cover plates of the wheel and secured to the cradle sides. `A brace 57 is bolted between the legs 18, of the cradle;

adjacent the lower ends thereof.

Having hereinbefore fully described my.

invention what I 4 i invention issingle traction wheel, channels or runways disposed within the wheel at each -side there-V claim as new andmfy7 ownv 9 1. In a tractor, 1n 'comblnatlon with a.

of and a' ring gear disposed intermediate 11 the channels or runwaysaforementioned, a. cradle disposed within the wheel and comprising duplicate parts spaced apart by transverse braces, said parts comprising'a horizontal central section, legs depending therefrom and outwardly and upwardly extending arms, the terminals of the arms l'and depending legs being in the same plane, said terminals being bifiircated and adapted to' carry rollers, said rollers being disposed within the channels or runways aforementioned substantially as and for the attainnient of the objects hereinbcfore Set forth.

2. ln a tractor, in coinbinationwith a. single traction wheel. chailnels or runways disposed within the wheel at cacli side thereof and a ring gear disposed intermediate the channels or runways :ifoi'ementioned, a cradle disposed within the wheel and comprising duplicate parts spaced apart by transverse braces and supported by rollers guided by the channels or runways aforeinientioned, a motive power mounted cen' trally between said duplicate parts and geared lo a ,piek-sliai't, said )ack-shaft carrying a, pinion, engaging the rihg gear at its horizontal center, the weight of said motive power, support, gea-ring and shafti'ng being disposed over the center ot thel l traction wheel. substantially as and for the attainment of the objects hereinbe'fore Set forth. i A

3. ln ay tractor` the. combination with a vsingle traction wheel, channels or runways disposed within the wheel :at each side thereof, a. ring gear disposed intermediate the or runways, a

, shaft carrying of. the j ack-shaft, the operating lever of the reverse gear extending outwardly through the stationary closure plate and adapted to;

loe` operated by a push rod, said push rod operated from the drivcrs position at the rear of the machine, substantially as and for the attainment of the objects hereinbefore set forth.

4f. In a tractor, the combination with a single traction wheel, channels or runways disposed within the wheel at each side theree of, a ring disposed intermediate the channels cradle disposed within the wheel and comprising duplicate parts space apart by transverse braces, a motive power mounted centrally between said duplicate parts and gearedto a jack-shaft, said jacka pinion engaging the ring gear aforesaid, a tank adapted to hold a cooling solution mounted on the cradle to the rear of the engine and piped thereto, a tank mounted on said cradle forward of the motive'power adapted to containa fuel supply, said tank being connected by suitable piping to the motive power aforesaid, substantially as and for the attainment of the objects set forth. I

5. In a tractor, the combination with a single traction wheel, channels or runways disposed within the wheel at each side there of, a ring geardisposed within the wheel and intermediate the channels or runways, a cradle disposed within the wheel and provided with integral members extending outside of the wheel, a bifurcated frame secured to said outwardly extending members, said frame extending rearwardly beyond said wheel thence curving inward to the diameter of the cup and cone members of the steering gear and following around said members to the longitudinal center of the traction wheel, thence backward over the axle and to the underside of which is secured a roller adapted to follow a curved track, substantially as described and for the attainment of the objects set forth.

6. In a tractor, the combination with a single traction wheel, a cradle within the wheel, a traine secured tothe cradle at the front end thereof, a cup member secured to the underside ot the frame in register withthe curved portions thereof, a cone member adapted to engage said cup member, a diyergng brace upon which said cup member is mounted, the central portion of said brace conforming to the contour of said cone ,|neniber, a curved channel or runway mounted upon an axle the ends of said curved channel or runway secured to the extremities of said diverging brace, said curved channel or runway adapted to guide a roller on the end of the frame, an axle secured to and beneath said curved channel or runway and carrying a wheel on each end thereof, substantially as and for the attainment of the objects set forth.

7. In a tracotor, the combination with a single traction wheel, a cradle disposed within the wheel, a frame secured to said cradle at the front end thereof, cup and cone members engaging each other, a shaft secured centrally in the cone member, a housing mounted gon top of the frame concentric with said shaft,V a worm gear disposed on and secured to said shaft within the housing, a worm wheel in mesh with said worm gear journaled within the housing, a rod secured to the shaft in said worm wheel and passing backward from said housing adapted to operate the steering gear aforementioned substantially as and for the attainment of the objects set forth.

8. In a tractor, in combination with a single traction wheel, a cradle within the wheel, a frame secured to the cradle, a stationary closure plate secured between said frame and said cradle and extending a distance over the side flanges of the wheel, an aperture within the closure plate through which the operating arm of the reverse gear is disposed substantially as and for the attainment of the objects' set forth.

9. In a tractor, incombination with a single traction wheel, a cradle within the wheel, a frame secured to the cradle, a curved plate hingedly depending from the underside of said .frame and extending a distance over the side iange of said wheel, a curved folding plate hingedly disposed on the top side of said frame and extending upward and inside of said side flange of said wheel, said plate abutting standards integralwith said cradle, substantially as and for the attainment of the objects set forth.

10. In a tractor, in combination with a sheet metal wheel, side plates secured to said wheel, apertures in said. side plates and closure members secured over said apertures by suitable attaching means, substantially as and for the attainment of the objects set forth.

11. In a' tractor in combination with a single driving wheel provided with a ring gear co-axially mounted in the interior thereof, a motor and auxiliary appurtenances therefor disposed within said driving wheel, driving means including a clutch adapted to establish operative driving connection between said motive power and the said driving gear, a motive power supporting means for maintaining axial alinement with the said driving wheel by means of one or more sets of three or more co-plane rollers engaging respectively one or more circular interior tracks or runways constituting (1o-axial ele- In testimony whereof I affix my signature ments of the said driving wheel and main in the presence of two subscribin Witnesses. frame members rigidly attached to the said vCHARLES D. EL WOOD. motive power supporting frame and ext'end- Witnesses:

5 ing to 'form ar vpart of the lframe of the T. C. RICHMOND, tractor. W. W. FRENCH. 

